Army arrests 19, destroys 43 illegal refineries in N’Delta

Troops of the Nigerian Army, 6 Division, have arrested 19 suspected oil thieves and destroyed 43 illegal crude refining sites in the Niger Delta.

Also, the army said its operatives confiscated about 260,000 litres of stolen products during a series of operations in four states of the region.

The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Jonah Dan Juma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, on Sunday.

Danjuma said the operations were carried out in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta states.

The statement added that the fight against illegal oil bunkering operations in the region had been progressing with several successes achieved.

The statement reads, “In the operations conducted between 4 – 10 November 2024, troops dismantled over 43 illegal oil bunkering hubs, arrested 19 economic saboteurs and confiscated over 260,000 litres of stolen products.

“In addition, over 11 vehicles, 21 boats as well as 11 motorcycles used for stealing crude were demobilised.

While consolidating on the ongoing operations in Rivers State, troops dismantled seven active illegal refining hubs around Abesa and Kula general area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.

“This led to the confiscation of over 60,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

“Similar operations were conducted around Cawthorne Channel 1 and Bille general area, which led to the destruction of several illegal bunkering havens, three fibre boats, five wooden boats as well as the recovery of over 41,000 litres of stolen products.

“Similarly, In Buguma Creeks, four active illegal refining hubs, eight large cooking pots, massive receivers/reservoirs, and three local boats stocked with over 12,500 litres of stolen products were handled appropriately.

“Several wooden boats with over 10,000 litres of stolen products were intercepted around Odagwa, Akwa, Oza West, Oyigbo, Obozur and Ayama general areas.”